Cultural Norms and Universality

Can we assume when working with an individual from a diverse culture that all cultural norms apply universally to all people from that culture? Can we gain greater understanding of a client from a diverse culture if we practice the same technique(s) we might use if we aren't sure we are properly interpreting the emotions of a client (or non-client) from our own culture? For example, if you weren't sure you were reading the motions of your significant other correctly, what would you do to gain the greatest understanding possible?

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No, I do not think it is wise for us to assume when working with an individual from a diverse culture that all cultural norms apply universally to all people from that culture. I do not prescribe to a "one size fits all" theory for counseling. We must see culture as one facet or layer to a ...

Solution Summary

Norm universality is briefly justified from a personal point of view. A counseling context is referenced.